The artwork, titled “Sobakevitch,” was created by the artist Marc Chagall circa 1923 in Paris, France. Executed in etching on paper, this work is associated with the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. It is part of the “Dead Souls” series and is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia. The artwork measures 278 x 211 cm and falls under the genre of illustration.
In this etching, Chagall employs a monochromatic palette to depict a stout and broad-shouldered figure, seemingly illustrated with a heavy emphasis on texture and shadow. The character exhibits an exaggerated form, consistent with the Naïve Art style, where simplicity and bold expression take precedence. The figure’s attire appears oversized and rustic, with a distinct linear and dot patterning that suggests a detailed, albeit unrefined, rendering technique. The subject’s facial expression, featuring a prominent nose and an open-mouthed smile, evokes a sense of personality and character, aligning well with the illustrative purpose of the artwork. The overall composition, while simple, captures a certain rustic charm and roughness, suggestive of the broader themes explored in the “Dead Souls” series.
